Novak Djokovic's visa to enter Australia was abruptly canceled upon his arrival in Melbourne on Thursday.
Djokovic, who was left stranded overnight at Melbourne's Tullamarine airport in the face of a brewing political storm, received a letter from the Australian government stating that his visa had been denied and that he would be removed from the country on Thursday, a source close to the tournament told Reuters.
The tennis star may be unable to defend his 2021 title as a result of the visa rejection, Health Minister Greg Hunt told local media Thursday.
Serb Djokovic "failed to present adequate evidence to demonstrate compliance with Australia's entry criteria, and the visa was consequently canceled," the health official said.
The Australian Border Force announced in a statement that Djokovic's visa had been canceled because of his failure to present adequate evidence of his eligibility to enter the country.
According to reports, the world number one has been transferred to a federal detention hotel pending his departure on an outbound flight.
"They are holding my son captive for five hours," Novak's father, Srdjan Djokovic, told Russian news site Sputnik, B92 reported.
The 34-year-old Serbian player, who will begin his quest for a record-tying 21st Grand Slam title at the Australian Open on Jan. 17, will seek an injunction to prevent his return, sources said.
Djokovic has not discussed his vaccination stance, but stated last year that he was "anti-vaccine."
Prime Minister Scott Morrison said during a press conference on Thursday that he had been warned that the player's admittance would be denied because of a lack of a medical exemption.
"Mr Djokovic's visa was revoked. Rules are rules, even more so when they pertain to our boundaries. Nobody is exempt from these restrictions," the prime minister clarified.
"Non-citizens who enter Australia without a valid visa or whose visa has been cancelled will be detained and expelled from the country," the ABF stated.
On Tuesday, Australia registered a day total of more than 48,000 COVID-19 cases, as the Omicron variant rages across the country, sending people scrambling for tests.
Meanwhile, the Australian government's action raised the prospect of a diplomatic dispute between Canberra and Belgrade.
"I informed our Novak that the entire country of Serbia stands with him and that our bodies are doing everything to put an end to the harassment of the world's finest tennis player," Serbian President Aleksandar Vucic said.
The Australian Open is the year's first grand slam and will take place from January 17 to 30.
